From the Guidelines
Tinea manus treatment should involve oral antifungal medications, such as itraconazole or terbinafine, as they have proven efficacious in treating most cases of T corporis, with itraconazole showing a superior mycological cure rate of 87% compared to griseofulvin 1. When treating tinea manus, it is essential to consider the causative agent, as different fungi may respond better to specific treatments.
- For T tonsurans, terbinafine appears to be the superior choice, as it has shown better efficacy in treating this particular fungus 1.
- In addition to oral antifungal medications, topical treatments such as clotrimazole 1% cream, miconazole 2% cream, or terbinafine 1% cream can be applied to the affected areas twice daily for 2-4 weeks to help clear the infection.
- It is crucial to continue treatment for at least one week after symptoms resolve to prevent recurrence.
- To prevent the spread of infection, it is recommended to avoid skin-to-skin contact with people known to have lesions, not share towels and other fomites, and limit exposure to swimming pools that have recently been associated with known outbreaks 1.
- Keeping the hands clean and dry is also essential, as fungi thrive in warm, moist environments, and wearing breathable gloves when working with irritants or water for extended periods can help prevent further irritation.
From the Research
Tine Manus Treatment
- The treatment for tinea infections, including tinea manus, typically involves the use of antifungal agents, which can be topical or systemic depending on the severity and location of the infection 2.
- For tinea infections of the skin, such as tinea corporis and tinea cruris, topical agents like terbinafine cream or butenafine cream are often effective 3.
- In cases of tinea capitis, which affects the scalp, systemic antifungal therapy is required, with options including griseofulvin, terbinafine, itraconazole, and fluconazole 4, 5.
- The choice of treatment can depend on factors such as the causative organism, the extent of the infection, and the patient's age and health status 6, 3.
- Terbinafine has been shown to be effective for the treatment of tinea capitis caused by Trichophyton species, with similar efficacy to griseofulvin but potentially fewer side effects 4, 5.
- For tinea infections that do not respond to topical treatment or are severe, oral antifungal agents may be necessary, with terbinafine being a common first-line choice due to its high cure rate and tolerability 3.
Treatment Options
- Griseofulvin: Effective for tinea capitis, especially for infections caused by Microsporum species, but can have gastrointestinal side effects 4, 5.
- Terbinafine: Effective for a wide range of tinea infections, including tinea capitis, tinea corporis, and onychomycosis, with a favorable safety profile 4, 5, 3.
- Itraconazole: Can be used for tinea capitis and other tinea infections, but its efficacy and safety profile may vary depending on the causative organism and patient factors 4, 5.
- Fluconazole: May be used for tinea capitis, especially in cases where other treatments are not suitable, but its efficacy can be lower than other options for certain types of infections 4, 5.